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(No Model.)

B. CLARK.

PLATFORM GEAR FOR WAGONS.

Batented Apr. 3,1 3.

WITNESS ATTORNEYS.

N. PETERS. Pbvio-Lillw riplwr. Wahinflun. 0.0.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD CLARK, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PLATFORM-GEAR FOR WAGONS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 275,147, dated April 3, 1883.

Application filed November 21, 1882.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD CLARK, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Platform-Gear for Wagons, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My improvements relate to the front platform-gearing of heavy trucks and wagons, the object being to provide durable and substantial gearing with the use of as little metal as possible.

To these ends the invention consists in the platform gearing hereinafter described and claimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate cor responding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a truck-platform of my improved construction. Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the same on linear m, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail section, showing the connection of the supporting-springs; and Fig. 4 is a view of the outer end of one of the. braces when leaf-springs are used.

A is the forward axle, and B B are arched bars of metal, fixed near the ends of the axle by clips at and fitted at their ends with blocks or plates 0 G, that receive the supportin g-sprin gs.

D D are braces formed by two bars of metal bent to the shape required and extending from the corner plates 0 to the center, where they are bolted toa block, b, of wood, so as to form a solid center support for the fifth-wheel. At their outer ends the braces D are connected to the plates 0 by vertical bolts (1, around whichare helical springs e, which serve to support the braces D and the partsimposed thereon. Upon the block b is bolted a plate, f, which forms a center bearing for the upper circle, 9, of the fifth-wheel. The lower circle,

71, is attached by bolts 1' to ring-segments k, that are bolted at their ends to the braces D.

lis the king-bolt, projecting from the headblock m through bearing-platef, and fitted beneath the block b with a spiral spring, 11, which serves to retain the king-bolt down in place (No model.)

to prevent rattling, and at the same time allows the upward movement of the king-bolt which is required, as usual.

0 0 are hounds extending from a cross-bar, p, and connected to the braces D, and the cross-bar p is made with an aperture, so as to form, in connection with the bounds 0, a socket for receiving the pole. At the ends of the bar 19 are thill-irons q q for shafts.

r is the whifiletree, hungon a bolt, 8, at the under side of the pole-socket, the bolt being braced by a rod, t, which passes back and is attached at the rear ends of the hounds. This construction furnishes alight and substantial platform for trucks or wagons, requiring but a small amount of metal comparatively.

In place of using the helical springs, as shown, the bars or braces D and fifth-wheel may be supported by leaf-springs of the ordinary character. I prefer to use the helical springs, as they are capable of supporting heavy weights in proportion to the amount of metal contained in the springs. When leafsprings are used the ends of braces D D will be formed as shown in Fig. 4.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. ln platform gearing, the combination, with the axle A and side bars, B B, of the diagonal braces l) D, center block, b, and supporting-springs e, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination,withthediagonal braces D D, center block, b, and platef, bolted thereto, ot' the upper circle, g, lower circle, h, and ringsegnients k, bolted at their ends to the braces D, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination of the bounds 0 0 and apertured cross-bar 1), with the center block, b, and diagonal braces D of the platform, substantially as shown and described.

EDWARD CLARK.

\Vitnesses GEO. D. WALKER, C. SEDGWIOK. 

